et&wnc Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Even though the CAF has traditionally liked being
> 'the only circus in town' at any event, it's a
> given that there's a massive push to have them fly
> Fifi with Doc at some point. Such a shame that it
> couldn't happen at Oshkosh this year (which is
> going on right now). I think we'd all love to be
> at the photo line when those two come roaring
> past, alongside one another!
> Anyone remember the debacle of the of those clowns
> who tried to get that B-29 out of Greenland but
> wound up destroying it in place (not to mention
> the mechanic who died during the attempt)? Their
> plan was to first show it at Oshkosh that year,
> but the funny thing is a pal of mine was on the
> Base commander's staff at that time and he's
> adamant that it never would have
> left Thule except in crates.

The folks who attempted to get the "Kee Bird" off the tundra in Greenland were led by Daryl Greenamyer, who was definitely not an amateur. Darryl was a highly experienced aviator and definitely knew what he was doing. His plan was just underfunded. He very nearly succeeded. The problem was that the runway they carved on the tundra was rough and during a high-speed taxi, the intense shaking broke the "putt-putt" (APU) loose from its mountings. It was a gasoline-fired generator that had to be running for takeoff and landing. Unfortunately, a fuel line broke and without professional CFR crews, they were unable to extinguish the fire. No one died in the attempt. One guy did get injured fighting the fire, but he was not killed. One guy died before the accident, during the refurbishment process, but that death was due to a blood clot and was not related to the effort to rescue the B-29. It was a shame to see it lost, but if not for Daryl Greenamyer, it might still be under a pile of snow.

/Kevin



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/29/2016 08:33PM by KevinM.